Islam, the West and Terrorism

One cannot compare ISLAM (a global religion) to the WEST (a group of nations). By trying to make comparisons between these different entities, we are already creating confusion in people's minds. We are already creating the impression that these are two opposing entities and one has to choose either one or the other, but not both. You are either for ISLAM or you are for the WEST. This view is dangerously misleading. This is not the case and should not be the case.
This fundamentalist view (on Islam versus the West) is the root cause of our modern day problem where religious tolerance is no longer acceptable.

The recent incidence of the release of the movie mocking Muslims around the world and the subsequent reaction from the Muslim world is a case of religious intolerance which borders on fundamentalism and terrorism.

The actions and the reactions should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. There is no justification for such a provocation and the reaction is also unjustified. However, when a people feel that they are constant targets of mockery, they will react - oftentimes, in very shocking ways. To every action, there is a reaction. People will try to make their voices heard by any means necessary. So, it up to those who are steady-headed and influential to help in addressing these issues. Powerful nations should not be ashamed to hold their citizens accountable when they overstep their boundaries.

Looking at the definitions of "Fundamentalism" and "Terrorism", one can say that the persons behind the movie are also fundamentalists and terrorists - same doctrine, different approach towards implementation.
If a person, knowingly performs an act that he/she knows will result in the death of himself or others, he/she should not be allowed to hide under the protection of "Freedom of Speech" or "Freedom of Expression".

It is shameful and totally inappropriate to exploit our basic freedom of expression in such distasteful ways. Such persons should be brought to justice for the resulting mayhem.

"Provocation can lead to madness: If you tease a mad man and he goes on the rampage, you are guilty of the damage caused".

Respect for other people's belief and way of life is the basis for human existence and in promoting self dignity.

[Quote: In November 2004, a United Nations Secretary General report described terrorism as any act "intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act".[20]]

Some definitions from Wikipedia:

Fundamentalism is the demand for a strict adherence to specific theological doctrines usually understood as a reaction against Modernist theology, primarily to promote continuity and accuracy. [1]
The term "fundamentalism" was originally coined by its supporters to
describe a specific package of theological beliefs that developed into a
movement within the Protestant community of the United States in the
early part of the 20th century, and that had its roots in the Fundamentalist–Modernist Controversy of that time.[2] The term usually has a religious connotation indicating unwavering attachment to a set of irreducible beliefs.[3] "Fundamentalism" is sometimes used as a pejorative term, particularly when combined with other epithets (as in the phrase "right-wing fundamentalists").[4][5]Non-religious: Some Christian theologians, some fundamentalists, and others
pejoratively refer to any philosophy which they see as literal-minded or
they believe carries a pretense of being the sole source of objective
truth as fundamentalist, regardless of whether it is usually called a religion. For instance, the Archbishop of Wales has criticized "atheistic fundamentalism" broadly[16][17][18] and said "Any kind of fundamentalism, be it Biblical, atheistic or Islamic, is dangerous".[19]
He also said, "the new fundamentalism of our age ... leads to the
language of expulsion and exclusivity, of extremism and polarisation,
and the claim that, because God is on our side, he is not on yours."[20]

Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition.[1][2]
Common definitions of terrorism refer only to those violent acts which
are intended to create fear (terror), are perpetrated for a religious,
political or, ideological goal; and deliberately target or disregard the
safety of non-combatants (civilians). Some definitions now include acts of unlawful violence and war. The use of similar tactics by criminal organizations for protection rackets or to enforce a code of silence
is usually not labeled terrorism though these same actions may be
labeled terrorism when done by a politically motivated group. Perhaps,[3] it is less oppressive in itself than through the effects of the precautions taken to protect its likely victims.[4]

In November 2004, a United Nations Secretary General
report described terrorism as any act "intended to cause death or
serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of
intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international
organization to do or abstain from doing any act".[20]

The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident (from Latin: occidens "sunset, West"; as contrasted with the Orient),
is a term referring to different nations depending on the context.
There is no agreed upon definition about what all these nations have in
common[1] apart from having a significant population of European descent.
The concept of the Western part of the earth has its roots in Greco-Roman civilization in Europe, with the advent of Christianity. In the modern era, Western culture has been heavily influenced by the traditions of Renaissance, Protestant Reformation, Age of Enlightenment, and shaped by the expansive colonialism of the 16th-20th centuries. Its political usage was temporarily informed by a mutual antagonism with the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War in the mid-to-late 20th Century (1945–1991).
Although the term originally had a literal geographic meaning, contrasting Europe with the linked cultures of civilizations of the Near East (Muslim world), South Asia & Southeast Asia (Hindu world, Greater India) and remote Far East (Sinosphere), today it has little geographic relevance.

10
years ago, this day (7th April), I lost a very special woman in my
life. 10 years later, I still feel the urge to connect with her. Words cannot
describe the emptiness. There’s no substitute for a mother’s unconditional
love. Neneh, we miss you. May Allah continue to bless you, and may you continue
to rest in peace.

Our daughter Fatmata (Binta) Bah is the proud recipient of the Middle School Ambassador award for 2018 for "consistently demonstrating kindness and respect for all members of the community and beyond, for representing DAA in athletics and humanitarian work, for excellence in academics, and admirable work ethic". She is considered as "motivating, gracious, ambitious, inspiring, dedicated to learning, takes pride in her work, a quiet leader who leads by example, never wanting the spotlight on herself, with the ethos of helping others over herself, gentle, kind, thoughtful, with a caring spirit...". We thank God for his blessings.